England striker delighted to find net against Ukraine
Last Updated: June 19, 2012 11:20pm
Wayne Rooney: England striker celebrates after finding the net from close range
Sky Bet
Wayne Rooney insists Italy will not relish a Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting with England after they topped Group D with victory over Ukraine.
Rooney,
back in the side after a two-match suspension, scored the only goal of the game in the 48th minute when he headed home Steven Gerrard's cross from point-blank range.
back in the side after a two-match suspension, scored the only goal of the game in the 48th minute when he headed home Steven Gerrard's cross from point-blank range.
France's unexpected defeat by Sweden allowed Roy Hodgson's side to leapfrog them in the standings and avoid a meeting with world and European champions Spain.
allowed Roy Hodgson's side to leapfrog them in the standings and avoid a meeting with world and European champions Spain.
But Rooney has given little thought to who the Three Lions will face next and insists Hodgson's men are a team who deserve respect.
will face next and insists Hodgson's men are a team who deserve respect.
"I said before it doesn't matter (who the quarter-final opponents are). The main thing was to get through the group and to finish top," the Manchester United striker said.
striker said.Qualities
"We know our qualities and what we're capable of. We've worked hard, done a lot of tactical play in training.
"We're difficult to beat and I don't think any team will fancy playing us."
Rooney looked rusty at times during his return to action, missing a glorious opportunity in the first period before emerging as the hero after the interval.
"Obviously I was delighted with the win and to score," he said.
"I haven't scored at a major tournament for a while (since 2004) so it was nice to get a goal which won us the game.
"We stuck in well at times against a difficult crowd and overall we deserved the win."
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